FURTHER RELIEF SCHEME

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 April 1931, Page 5

FURTHER RELIEF SCHEME

Settlement of Abandoned Farms.

HELP FOR OCCUPIERS AND LABOURERS.

BOARD’S PROGRESSIVE ATTACK ON UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM.

(Public Service Telegram). WELLINGTON, This Day. Absorbing the unemployed by work on abandoned farms is the

Unemployment Board’s latest plan. The Hpn. the Minister of Labour, Mr S. G, Smith (who is chairman of the Unemployment Board), made the following official statement last evening concerning the new farm development scheme inaugurated by the Board:—

“Prom its inception it has been the settled policy and desire of the Unemployment Board,” said the Minister, ”to direct and divert the unemployed into' productive avenues whereby the results of their labour might be reflected in the increased production and exports of the Dominion. So-far, however, the sheer magnitude of the relief to be provided has engaged the whole of the Board’s energies and almost completely absorbed its finance. Gradually, however, Scheme No. 4, which provides for productive work on farms, is being developed, over 2500 additional labourers having been placed on farms to date; and to-day this scheme represents a constructive phase of the Unemployment Board’s efforts. Hitherto the scheme has operated in two different phases, as follows: — No. 4a provides additional workers on farms under a system of wage subsidy. No. 4b provides for developmental , work on farms on a contract basis, a subsidy being granted of 33 1-3 per cent, of the labour cost of each contract. A third section —No. 4e—has now been inaugurated whereby assistance is being provided for the rehabilitation and settlement of abandoned farms.

“This new section, it is hoped, will result in bringing back to full production a number of farms that have been abandoned because of the drop in the prices of primary products, and in the ultimate settlement of an unemployed man and his family on each farm. This phase of the scheme will be operated by the Unemployment Board in collaboration with the Lands Department, whose field inspectors will have 'general supervision over the development work on the farms. It has the commendation of the Minister of Lands and the approval of the Minister of Finance. i DETAILS OF THE PLAN.

' “There ar e about 400 abandoned farms in the Dominion, out a number pf ■ them ar e not regarded as offering any prospect of successful working, and so a selection of the best will be made for testing the practicability of the, scheme.

“The future occupiers ,of the farms will be chpsen by District Land Boards from unemployed farmers or from suitable persons'With

farming experience. “Reports are to be supplied by de* partmental experts as to the quantity of material needed to affect repairs to buildings, for fencing, etc., and as to the number of men required to put a- farm into working order. “When the selected occupier of a farm takes possession, the Lands Department will arrange with the nearest labour bureau to send to the farm a gang of single unemployed men who will work under the supervision of the future occupier.

“The workers will be paid £1 per week by the Unemployment Board and will be allowed 15s per week for board. < * The farms are to be occupied rent free from two to five years; the period to be decided by the District Land Bjard. So that there shall be no handicap on occupiers in the initial stages, ihe value of the farms is to be written down to present-day value. The occupiers of'these farms may also obtain from the Lands Development Board advances for the erection of buildings or for the clearing, draining, fencing, cultivation, grassing or general improvement of the farms, including the purchasing of fencing materials, grass seed, lime, manures, implements, etc., to an amount not exceeding 90 per cent, of the estimated value of the completed improvements. Discharged soldier occupiers may obtain advances under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act, 1915, for making improvements to their farms and also for the purchase of stock and chattels.

After referring to the bad effects that have arisen through abandonments of holdings, the Minister goes on to says; ‘‘Abandoned farms contribute nothing to the rates, but when they are occupied and developed they will pay their full quota of local body rates and thus share the cost of road maintenance now borne entirely by neighbouring farms. ... HOW TO GET ON TO THE FARMS.

“The rules governing the operation of the scheme will be available in a few days and copies will be forwarded to all Local Unemployment Committees. Applications from prospective lessees of the farm’s are to be made to the Commissioners of Crown Lands in th e various districts. ’’

In his concluding remarks, the Minister states: “So far the Unemployment Board has not received from farmers as much encouragement as was to be expected in connection with its farm schemes, and it is no fault of the Board’s that ',farmers have not taken greater advantage of them, for under No. 4a they were offered completely free labour. The attraction of people into the country districts in order to develop the land is one of the (most powerful agents in the struggle against unemployment, and the Board hopes that it v-ill have the full cooperation of farmers generally in this latest attempt sto grapple with {the problem.”